Marion Mitchell AITCHESON

Marion Mitchell Aitcheson (née Wilson, formerly McKenzie), beloved Mum and Nana, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, at the age of 86, in the Palliative Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. She had been living with Pulmonary Fibrosis, and she faced it with the same quiet strength that carried her through a remarkable life.

Born in Glasgow one month after the start of the Second World War, Marion lived in a crowded "Single-End". The toilet was outdoors and the weekly bath was in the “steamie" — a public wash-house and communal laundry.

As a child, she witnessed the devastation of German bombs as they dropped on town centre and the Clydebank shipyards while her family rushed into underground shelters. 

Sadly, her father Robert was killed in the war. Her older brother, Chic, joined up as a young Red Devil paratrooper. He returned home to marry and have five children: Andy, Janice, John, Charlie and William. Shortly after the war ended, Marion’s mother, Isabella (née Lightbody), died of cancer, leaving Marion and her older sister, Isabel, as orphans. Her brother, Chic, and his newlywed wife, Netta, stepped up and adopted both girls.

Marion flourished at school, but, at the age of 15, went to work at "Laird Porches" (Laird-Portch Fashions Ltd.), as a seamstress, making their famous tartan kilts and clothing. On the weekends, she loved to go dancing at such historic venues as Barrowland, Locarno and the "Denny Pally". At one of the dances, she met a suave chancer by the name of George McKenzie. 

They were married in 1961. Their son, Grant, was born in 1963. Taking after his mum, he still has bright red hair, a cheeky attitude, Scottish accent, and a big smile. Sadly, due to the times and incompatible blood types, no other children were born alive. In 1970, Marion and George adopted a skinny wee blonde baby who they loved as their own, named Gillian.

Moving to East Kilbride, life was good for the young couple. They had a two-bedroom, council flat; George worked as a "joiner" (carpenter) and Marion worked in sales. She sold everything from chocolate and cigarettes to a new invention: the Instant Polaroid Camera.

In 1976, the family of four emigrated to Canada. They landed in Calgary in the middle of the Stampede with only $500 to their name. Within two years, they purchased their own house.

Life took a turn when Marion and George divorced in 1981. Grant graduated high school and went on to be a journalist with the Calgary Sun, Calgary Herald, and Vancouver Sun. He has also written 12 novels. Grant married Karen Kendrick, and they had a daughter, Kailey.

Gillian worked for WestJet in Calgary and gave birth to two girls: Tara and Jennifer.

After the divorce, Marion re-married and travelled North America in an RV with her husband, Jim Aitcheson. She eventually settled in Comox on Vancouver Island where Jim died in 2014.

Both Gillian and Grant moved to Vancouver Island in the early 2000s with Gillian residing in Nanaimo, and Grant in North Saanich.

Marion returned to Scotland on vacation with her son in 2018 and immediately fell back in love with the people, the humour and the memories. She spent her last months at home with Gillian in Nanaimo until illness moved her into Nanaimo Palliative Care. She died peacefully on June 10, 2026 at 1:55 a.m.

Marion leaves behind her children, Grant and Gillian, and her grandchildren: Kailey, Tara, Jenny and Marina. She is survived by her sister, Isabel.

She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, the Palliative Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and all the health care workers and friends who made mum's last days so peaceful. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation are appreciated.

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